Display rack and support



Nov. 19, 1940.

L. C. LETZKUS DISPLAY RACK AND SUPPORT Filed Aug. 2, 1 939 Rig. 2

INVEN TOR.

Kama

Patented Nov. 19, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in display racks of the lazy-tong type, and it is among the objects thereof to provide a construction of display rack and support which will be self-locking when set up.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an extensible display rack in which the supporting leg of the rack engages the extensible members in a manner to lock the same against displacement.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a display rack comprising a plurality of extensible shelves which shall be collapsible by folding both the shelves which are in superposed relation in their folded position, and the supporting legs which are hinged to or adjacent the top shelf of the rack.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the accompanying drawing constituting a part hereof in which like reference characters designate like parts and in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a display rack embodying the principles of this invention;

Fig. 2 an end elevational View thereof;

Fig. 3 a front elevational View of the rack in its extended position;

Fig. 4 a side elevational view of the extended rack of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 a view in perspective of a portion of the display rack illustrating the manner of hinge construction of the supports, the interaction of the supports with the extensible members, and other incidental features.

With reference to the drawing, the structure therein illustrated comprises a pair of lazy-tongs generally designated by the numeral I consisting of a series of links pivoted to each other at their respective ends and fulcrumed for rotation n at their converging points, which is centrally of the links.

The lazy-tong structure is pivotally connected at 2 and 3 to a base 4 of a somewhat ornamental shape and is held at its extended upper end by a relatively long leg 5. A plurality of relatively light-weight thin shelves of wood or other suitable material 6 are fastened to the base 6 and the lazy tongs in the manner shown in Figs. 3 and l, mounting blocks 1 being provided for this purpose, the blocks I being joined to the legs assuming the horizontal position when the structure is extended.

With reference to Fig. 5 of the drawing, the upper shelf 6 of the display stand is provided with hinges 9 of the piano-hinge type to which legs 5 are fastened, so that the legs 5 may be folded, as shown in Fig. 5, to extend vertically, the wide portion of the top of the leg 5 being of a dimension corresponding to the spacing between the upper two vertical tong links, which for purpose of identification are designated by reference numerals I and H, the leg being in intimate engagement with the sides of the links l0 and II, in which position the lazy-tongs are locked against movement, this being a primary feature of the invention. By hinging the legs 5 to the top shelf as shown in the enlarged view, Fig. 5, the legs may be folded on top of the upper shelf 6 in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 1 showing legs 5 overlapping each other, the one leg fitting into the space provided by the off-set hinge 9, and the other leg overlapping in a non-conspicuous manner.

As shown in Fig. 5, the shelves may be provided with grooves l2 to prevent material on display from sliding from the shelf, and abutting strips I3 may be provided having pins l4 that fit in holes E5 of the shelf so that the strip l3 may be placed at various desired locations on the shelves.

The groove l2 and strip I3 are especially useful if the display rack is slightly tilted to produce decorative effects.

The dotted line construction of Fig. 3 illustrates the action of folding or unfolding the legs 5 in their vertical position.

It is evident from the foregoing description of this invention that collapsible display racks made in accordance therewith may be constructed of light-weight materials which are safe against collapsing when the display rack is loaded because of the interlocking feature of the lazytongs with the hind supporting legs, which makes the stand rigid and secure and capable of holding considerable load.

The hinged legs prevent loss of any element of the display structure, and a locking bolt or pin [5a, Fig. 4, may be employed to hold the legs against displacement in their mounted position.

Although one embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it Will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the details of construction without departing from the principles herein set forth.

I claim:

1. In a display rack of the lazy-tong type embodying a plurality of supporting shelves of a pair of supporting legs hinged to the ends of the top shelf of said display rack and being of a width' to fit between the top links of the lazy tongs to lock said tongs against displacement in their extended position.

2. In a display rack of the lazy-tong type, a plurality of display shelves, a pair of supporting legs hinged to the upper shelf of said rack and adapted to be folded thereon in the collapsed position of the rack, said legs in their extended position coacting with the links of said tongs to prevent displacement thereof in the extended position of the legs, means for locking said legs in their extended position and bottom legs of l substantial surface'area constituting supports to stabilize the rack.

LEO C. LETZKUS. 

